Apparatus for and method of bending and setting stock.



J. W. HICE. APPARATUS POR AND METHOD 0F BENDING AND SETTING STOCK.

APPLlCAi'lON XLBD MAY 28,1914.

Patented De@h 29, 1914 LQ'O.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

n@ C i ff g /9 E 00 t j 07 l u 26; ,P 2.92%

'f//l//l/ A4 Y C f///// Q V77 d r&\\\ i f) mum/tto@ C J MMM@ *wim/wow@ ff? JM W l 69 @3M ,6W /pmd/ @Noznm J. W. HIGE. APPARATUS FOR. AND METHOD OF BBNDING AND SETTING STOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28,1914. 1 ,1 22,750 Patented M129, 1914.

^ 3 SHEBTSSHEBT 2` f wlloooowsm HOOG@ 1 J. W. HICB. APPARATUS TOR AND METHOD OP BENDING AND SETTING STOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28,19144 1,122,750. Patented Dec.29, 1914.

3 SHEETS SHEET 8 WMM/www or laminations.

spective view .on an,

JOHN' W. HICE, OF JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE.

- APPARATUS 'FOB AND METHOD OF BENDING AND BETHNG STOCK.

Specification o! Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Application filed May 28, 1914. Serial No. 841,580.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, J oHN W. Hier., a citizen of the United States, residing at Johnson City, in the county of Washington and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in A paratus for and Methods of Bending and i etting Stock, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for and method of bending and setting stock, the same being especially designed for use in the formation and construction of curved wooden structures such as wheel rims and fellies, table rims or aprons and other similar wooden articles.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a quick and easy method of bending and setting wood rims and the like, enabling the same to be removed from the bending machine as rapidlv as they are ,bent into shape, also to enable the work to be performed in a better and more accurate way and without the necessity of cutting the strips or laminations of the rim to carefully graduated lengths yin order to obtain the end pressure now employed in the manufacture of such articles.

A further object of provide means whereby the uniform pressure between all the sections or laminations of the strek is maintained throughout the entire length thereof after the bent stock is removed from the machine.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully. described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a suflicient portion of a wood bending machine to illustrate the relation of the present invention thereto, the bending arms and stock being illustrated in their initial positions. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the position of the bending arms and the condition of the stock just before the arms have reached their final positions. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the final position of the parts. Fig. 4 is a detail edge view of the stock showing the manner of combining the plies Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the bent stock and the setting or restraining means therefor after removal from the bending machine. Fig. 6 is a detail perenlarged .scale .of the the invention is to pressure distributing bar. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one end of said bar. Fi Sis a detail perspective view of one en ofy a bar1 provided with offsetting springs. Fig. 9 1s a fragmentary perspective view of the form showing the same provided with offsetting springs. Fig. 10 is a detail elevat1on showing the initial relation of the spring supported bar to the form preparatory to the application of pressure lengthwise ofthe inner ply. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing another position of the bar. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of a lonitudinally extensible pressure distributing ar. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the same. Figs. 14, 15 and 1G are detail views showing different forms of teeth or spurs for the pressure distributing bar.

.The bending machine, in the main.l is of the usual construction and operation and therefore only needs sufficient description to enable the present invention to be understood. In the drawings, the machine is seen to comprise the usual base or bed plate 1, the upright central frame 2, the form 3 which is fastened to the upright portion 2 of the frame and adjustable by means of a bolt 4, and a pair of bending arms or levers 5 along the working faces of which extends a continuous master strap 6 upon which the stock is placed preparatory to the bending operation, each of said arms being provided with a head block 7 which is adjustable longitudinally thereof in accordance with the length of the stock.

In carrying out the present invention. n number of rims are adapted to be simultaneouslvbent by the machine and the strips or plies of said rims are assembled in the manner illustrated in the detail edge view, Fig. 4. wherein it will be observed that three superimposed rim structures are placed one upon the other. each rim embodying the plies or laminations a. b and c. the adjacent faces of the plies a and b being coated with adhesive material such as glue. and the adjacent faces of the plies and c being correspondingly treated. The spaces indicated by the lines d between the rim structures are not coated with adhesive material so that they are readily separated from each other when removed from the restraining means hereinafter particularly described. It is the ordinary practice to also arrange sev- .eral-seriesoi superimposed rims, the bending machine being ordinarily of sufficient width to contain three tiers or piles of rims thus enabling nine complete laminated rims to be bent simultaneously in one complete operation of the machine.

Thestock indicated generally by the character A in Fig. I is primarily placed on the master strap `6 and beneath the form 3 and between the stock A and the master strap 6 there is placed a restraining band 8 which is best illustrated in Fig. 5. This restraining band is of sutlicient length to extend around the outer face of the stock and has its oppo- Site ends inserted between a pair of clamp- '.ng plates or members 9 and 10 which are subsequently bolted or otherwise permanently fastened together, said members 9 and 10 together forming an end block. Two of such end blocks are employed, one being fastened to each end of the restraining band 8 and each block is furthermore provided with an extending stud 11. These studs 11 are adapted to be connected by a shackle designated generally at B and consists of two relatively overlapping sections 12 and 13 provided at their outer ends with sleeves 14 which may be readily slipped over the studs 11, the head blocks 7 hereinabove referred to being recessed in their inner faces to receive the sleeves 14 and studs 11. The shackle members 12 and 13 are providedv with longitudinal series of perforations 15 to receive a connecting pin 16 which is also preferably inserted through a collar 17 slidable lengthwise of the members 12 and 13 as shown in Fig. 5.

C generally designates a pressure distributing bar. the preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in Fig. 6 wherein it will be observed that said bar comprises a board 18 the length of which is sufficient to extend diametrically between the end portions of the stock A as shown in Fig. 5. The bar is provided at its opposite extremities with proieeting spurs or teeth 19 which are preferably formed on a face plate 20 fastened as shown at 21 to the bar. The construetion just referred to is not, however, essential as the board 18 itself may be formed of metal as indicated in Fig. 16 at 18 in which oase the spurs or teeth 19 may be formed integrally with the metal bar itself. Instead of forming the teeth as shown in Figs. 6 and 16. the teeth indicated at 19 may be inserted into the end of the wooden board 18 as shown in Fig. 15. Instead of forming the teeth as shown in Fig. 16 wherein they are in the shape of p'ointed barbs, said teeth may be formed after the manner of a rasp surface as indicated in Figs. 7 and 14, 19 indicating said rasplike teeth. n the preferred embodiment of this feature of the invention it is also preferred to provide the board 18 with end risers 22 which may be either substantially wedge-shaped as shown in Fig. 6 or substantially rectangular as shown at 22 in Fig. 7 and it is also preferred to mount a. wear plate 23 on each of the risers, against which wear plate one of the end blocks 10 rides as said end blocks are moved inwardly. As the end blocks are moved inwardly by the bending arms 5 of the machine, the said end blocks ride against the wear plates 23 and exert a downward pressure on the board 18 the teeth 19 of which are in engagement with the inner face of the stock A at diametrically opposite points as illustrated in Fig. 5. This produces lengthwise pressure in both directions on the inner ply or plies of the stock A and causes a uniform radial outward pressure on the superimposed laminations or plies upon each other, all of said plies being restrained by the band 8. This pressure takes place during the bending operation performed by the machine and when the final limit of movement of the machine is reached as shown in Fig. 3, the shackle B is slipped over the studs 11 and tightened by the adjusting means hereinabove described. In this way the pressure just hereinabove described is maintained after the bending arms have been returned to their initial positions and said pressure is still maintained after the bent stock is removed from the machine.

To facilitate the removal of the bent stock from the machine, the form 3, as best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 9, comprises in addition to the main body 24, a facing plate 25 comprising two hinged end sections 26 which are secured to the outer side of links 27 pivotally connected at 28 to the main body 24 of the form. These links 27 are in turn pivotally connected to a pair of inwardly extending connecting rods 29 and said rods are pivotally attached to the hub of a hand level' 30 bv the movement of which the hinged end sections 26 of the form may be drawn inwardly thereby contracting a sufcient portion of the form to enable the bent stock to be readily removed therefrom t0- gether with the bar C, the restraining band 8, the members 9. 10, and the connecting shackle. The machine is then ready to receive a new batch of rims.

Under the arrangement hereinabove described and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 both inclusive. in associating the bar C with the stock. one or both extremities of said bar are slightly elevated above the form 3 as shown in Fig. 2 before lengthwise pressure is applied to the stock so that when said pressure is applied. there can be a sufficient amount of movement of the bar C toward the form to effect the pressure on the inner ply or plies of the stock. Another way of accomplishing the same result is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11 both inclusive in which use is made of offsetting or spacing springs 31 i, end of thebar or form as shown in or at both ends thereof as shownin 11, the resultI being.. the same: in each' case, namely, al suflicient spaeeis left betwe'en one or both endsof the bar andl thefoim toallow 10 for asufiieient movement to obtain ,thenceessary pressure fon, the innergply for? plies of the stock A. .It is in 'this waythataunit'orm 1 5` thereof, sue h\fo,ut\v ardi radial vpressurev being resisted bythe restrainingbimd 8,

In gFigs. l2 a n d 1`3. Lhave illustrated other,` form 'ofbar G1 which is .composed of; two .relatively movable sections 32 andf33v having I eversely @taperedV v inneradjacent edges 34 and between whichfis a Spreading jor expanding wedge 3G., operated by means of an adjusting or feed screw 37 which" may be turned a suitable wrench 328, the latter being'shown -in the form of an .ordi

nary socket wrench detachably applied to a `squared end 39 of the screw The screw 37 is journaled in a bearingfplate overlapping the side edges of the veap 'sections 32 and 33, said sections being connected by splice bars 41 which are connected to the sections of the bar C by means of bolts 42 or .their equivalent which work in conjunction with slots 43 in one or both of the sections 32 and 33 of the cap board. The pressure bar sections are shown as provided at their opposite extremities with spurs or teeth 4l corresponding in function with the spurs or teeth 19 hereinabove described. In the use of the longitudinally extensible bar C, said bar is first contracted in length and is then ipanded after beingr interposed between the end portions of the stock so as to occupv the saine4 relation thereto as is shown in Fig. 5. 45 In view ofthe foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will now be understood that the ordinary wood bending machine is employed to bend the laminated rims into their final condition and that during such bending movementV lengthwise pressure is applied in both directions to the inner ply or plies of the rims by means of the Cap board which obtains a positive engagement with the stoel( and which is acted upon by the end blocks in turn acted upon bv the head blocks on the bending arms. thereby exerting an outward radial pressure ou all of the plies or laminations so as to obtain good contac between all of the glued surfaces of the plies which will prevent subsequent splitting and breal ing down of the glued lioints. Furthermore7 and of great importance. it will be understoo'l that the pressure referred to ismaintained after the bending arms of the Ina- 'ing the head blocks 71tobeartlirectlyagainst carried out quickly and with" absolute'.

accuracy and it' insures efrieientV glued4 joints throughout thee'ntire eontaeting'area of the pliesl or laminations.` Furthermore;

Vit does away with the necessity-ofcarefully'15 Vgradaating the lengths of.tliej'laniinations 'in order' to i obtain "le'gtl'wisef press"urfe `i outward radial pressure obtained bet w 'en A the inner'ply or plies and those lying voutside' which has hitherto beenprod'ufced'by-leans the extremitiesof the plies' or. lamixiations What I claim is:l 1. In a bending machine, theeolnbiri ifion' with a form, and'* lneansffo'r"bending the stoel( around'said toim, o'f arestrin'ing. v band adapted to be'l'simultaneously bent'85 around the outside ofthe jstoe'l{ ,"al sertible between the ends ottlief'stoel adapted to terlriinally 'engageftheendpdi'! L tions o'f the inside ply andiniov' i tion lengthwise of thestoek.l and "nd blocks on said band'adapted to'pressY a nstffszid bar.: M `V "'M 2. `In a bending'niahiric,` tl{ ombiii''tion with a Ifoi-m, land ymeans for bending--tlie stock around said form, of a restraining band adapted to be simultaneously bent around the outside of the stock, a bar insertible between the ends of the stock and provided with teeth for positively engaging A the inside ply otl said stock, and adapted to exert lengthwise pressure on said inside ply, and end blocks on said band adapted to press against said liar.

3. In a bending linachine. the combination with a form, and means forbending the stock around said form` of a restraining band adapted to be simultaneously bent y around the outside of the stock, a bar in sertible between the ends of the stock and provided with teeth forpositively engaging 11o the end portions of thel inside ply of said.- stock. and exerting a1. lengthwise pressure on said inside ply, endibloelrs on said band adapted to press againstv said bar. and a shackle for connecting Enid end blocks. 115

4. In a bending machine, the combination with a form. andY means for bending the stock around saidform. ot' a restrainingT band adapted to be 'simultaneous-lv bent around the outside of the stock, a bar in- 120 sertilile between the ends of the stock', and adapted to terminally engage the end sportions of the inside plv and move in a direction lengthwise of the stock. risers on the opposite ends of said bar. and end blocks on said band adapted to press against said risers.

5. ln a bending machine. the combination with a form. and means for bending the stock around said forni, of a restrain` 13a ing band adapted to be simultaneously bent around the outside of the stock, a longitudinallv extensible bar insel-time between the ends of the stock and provided with means for positively` engaging the inner surface of the inside ply lof said stoel` and exerting a lengthwise pressure on said inside ply, and end blocks on said band adaptedgto press against said bar. l

6. Ina bending machine, the combination with a form, and means for bending the stock around said form, of a restrainingy band adapted to be simultaneously bent around the outside of the stock` a bar insertible -between the ends of vthe stock, and

adapted to terminally engage the end portions of the inside -ply land move in a directionilengthwise of the stock, end blocks onv said band adapted :to press against said bar, and yieldable spacing means between said form and bar.

7. The combination with freshly bent stock, of means for maintaining such stock in its bent condition, said means comprising a bar having means at its opposite .extremities to positively engage the inn'er ply of the stock, a restraining band' extending around the outer face of the stock, and means associated with the opposite extremities of said band and bar board causing the latter to press theinner ply of stock out-'1 wardly to efi'ect a uniform outward radial pressure on all plies of said stock.

8. The method of bending and settingV 1 plies, and removing the stock froml the form while still maintaining the stock under such pressure.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Y JOHN WIV. HICE. Vitnesses:

1". A. Moses, P. L. Gurzeon.- 

